The obscure book's margins are virtually filled with clusters of curious foreign characters â€” a mysterious shorthand used by 17th century religious dissident Roger Williams.

For centuries the scribbles went undeciphered. But a team of Brown University students has finally cracked the code.

Mason-Brown was able to translate scattered fragments, and the students determined there were three separate sections of notes. Two are Williams' writings on other books, a 17th century historical geography and a medical text. The third â€” and most intriguing â€” is 20 pages of Williams' original thoughts on one of the major theological issues of the day: infant baptism.

Williams also weighed in on the conversion of Native Americans, implying it was being achieved through treachery and coercion, said Linford Fisher, a history professor at Brown who has been working with Mason-Brown....

I.M. Wright wrote:I'm thankful they finally cracked this code. I noticed these scribbles in my own copy of Roger Williams' works and wondered what they meant. I can't count the number of sleepless nights I've passed, wondering if anyone out there was working on it!Now I can't wait for their best-selling book to come out, "THe RW Code-Broken at Last." I wonder if they used the same system used by Dan Brown and others of the Bible code group.Or maybe they will move on to the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence to find the Secret Code hidden there.

Glad you can finally get some much needed rest!! Don't let the anticipation of the upcoming book rob of anymore shut eye

I'm thankful they finally cracked this code. I noticed these scribbles in my own copy of Roger Williams' works and wondered what they meant. I can't count the number of sleepless nights I've passed, wondering if anyone out there was working on it!Now I can't wait for their best-selling book to come out, "THe RW Code-Broken at Last." I wonder if they used the same system used by Dan Brown and others of the Bible code group.Or maybe they will move on to the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence to find the Secret Code hidden there.